Amherst Football Assistant Coaches

Don Faulstick

Billy McBride

Rob Schur '98

Keith Hellstern

Greg O'Neill '00

Matt Dence

Jon Genson

Offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Don Faulstick came to Amherst in 1997 after a pair of stints at Division III power Worcester Polytechnic Institute, and a successful tenure at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. In four seasons at RPI, Faulstick's Engineers cruised to a 31-8 record and a trio of ECAC Championships. While at WPI, Faulstick developed a high-powered attack that helped spearhead an impressive 15-3-1 mark and a Northeast Division II ECAC Championship in 1991.

Faulstick graduated in 1986 from Mansfield University where he later earned his stripes as an assistant coach. He has also worked in a variety of other high-profile programs, including Shippensburg University, Union College and Princeton University.

Billy McBride enters his 11th season mentoring Amherst wide receivers. Drafted by the San Francisco 49ers after a standout playing career at Tennessee State University, McBride played six years in the Canadian Football League and saw time in several NFL training camps. He also serves as head coach of the Amherst women's basketball team, earning NESCAC and District 1 Russell Athletic/WBCA Coach of the Year honors last season after leading the Jeffs to a school-record 23 wins.

Amherst graduate Rob Schur '98 returns for his fourth year as an assistant coach tutoring a strong offensive line. As an undergrad, Schur started at right tackle for two seasons (1996-1997) and helped lead the Jeffs to consecutive 7-1 records. He also captained the Amherst indoor and outdoor track teams and currently serves as the throws coach for both programs.

Keith Hellstern enters his third season coaching outside linebackers after teaching and coaching at the Hotchkiss School in Lakeville, Conn. A 1998 graduate of Little Three rival Wesleyan University, Hellstern played on both sides of the ball as a four-year starter, switching to center after two years as a standout defensive lineman. In addition to coaching, Hellstern is currently working toward a master's degree in sports management at the University of Massachusetts.

Former All-NESCAC, NESCAC All-Academic and Cadigan Award winning nose guard Greg O'Neill '00 returns to campus as a first-year defensive line coach. The Weymouth, Mass., native coached outside linebackers last season as a graduate assistant at NESCAC rival Trinity College.

Matt Dence will make his first appearance on the Amherst sideline as the Jeffs' newly hired inside linebackers coach. He was a three-year starting tight end at King's College, where he also served as a defensive backfield assistant. Dence then joined Springfield College as an offensive line and tight ends coach in 1999 and helped pace the Pride to a pair of NCAA Division III rushing titles, including an NCAA record 4,275-yard season in 2000. While at Springfield, Dence earned a master's degree in physical education.

Runningbacks coach Jon Genson takes over for the recently retired Tracy Mehr after two seasons as a defensive graduate assistant and assistant recruiting coordinator at Division 1-AA power Hofstra University. While earning a master's degree in physical education, Genson helped coach Hofstra to a Lambert Cup Championship in 1999 and consecutive trips to the second round of the 1-AA playoffs. He also spent four years as a football manager at Division I Indiana University before graduating with a degree in sports marketing and management.